Robotics for R&D: Validation of innovations, risk mitigation, and accelerated development

Research and development (R&D) are the driving forces behind innovation in virtually every industrial and scientific sector. In this context, robotics for R&D has become a key tool for accelerating experimentation, testing, and validation of new technologies.

At Robotnik, we have been developing and providing mobile robotic platforms for over two decades, enabling research centers, universities, and business innovation departments to create, validate, and scale cutting-edge technological solutions.

In this article, we explore what robotics brings to the R&D sector, its specific applications, and why choosing modular platforms like those offered by Robotnik is a strategic decision for R&D projects.

In today’s global context, most countries have intensified their investments in robotics as part of their R&D strategies. According to the “World Robotics R&D Programs 2025” report from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), countries like China, Japan, South Korea, the European Union, and the United States are adopting various approaches to foster innovation in this field.

For example, China has launched programs like the “Key Special Program on Intelligent Robots,” with a budget of about $45.2 million, aimed at promoting key technologies in strategic economic sectors. Japan, on the other hand, invested more than $930 million in robotics R&D in 2022, complemented by an additional $440 million in related projects within the Moonshot R&D Program. South Korea has established the “K-Humanoid Alliance,” a coalition bringing together companies, universities, and the government to develop advanced humanoid robots, aiming to lead this segment by 2030.

In Europe, robotics investment has been driven by initiatives like the NATO Innovation Fund, which supports tech startups in defense and robotics, addressing the need for dual-use technologies in the current geopolitical context, and Horizon Europe, the EU’s main funding program for research and innovation, where Robotnik has actively participated in over 20 projects. Meanwhile, in the United States, leading robotics companies have urged the government to establish a coordinated national strategy to effectively compete with technological advances from countries like China.

These trends reflect an international race to lead innovation in robotics, with increasing importance placed on collaboration between governments, industry, and academia.

The goal of most robotics research projects is to bring them into the commercial realm and deliver real value to the industry. An example of this is the work Robotnik has carried out in recent years in R&D, focusing on robotics projects for inspection and safety. This effort culminated in the development and launch of RB-WATCHER, a closed and scalable commercial solution designed specifically for the industrial market.

Robotics for research and development refers to the use of robots and robotic platforms as experimental tools in scientific and technological projects, serving as a precursor to robust and proven commercialization. This phase allows researchers to:

Any robot from Robotnik is suitable for R&D, as they are multipurpose, open, modular platforms with ROS-based architecture.

With more than 20 years of experience in R&D projects, Robotnik has developed cutting-edge robotic solutions tailored to the most demanding needs. Additionally, we have our own R&D department in robotics, formed by professionals and experts in integrating emerging technologies like augmented reality, the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, and 5G into our robots and mobile manipulators.

Here are some of the most used robots for R&D:

As industrial environments become more complex, robotics must face new technological challenges to evolve at the pace that the industry demands. Research with robotics provides a flexible, repeatable, and scalable experimental foundation. Some key advantages of robotics for R&D include:

Universities lead many robotics innovation projects, whether in autonomous mobility, navigation, AI, or security and inspection. Robots like RB-SUMMIT or RB-VOGUI are widely used in research projects such as Horizon Europe.
You can explore here examples of R&D projects in robotics involving Robotnik alongside various universities or technological centers.

Innovation departments in industrial companies also carry out R&D in robotics for developments such as:

Public agencies and entities are increasingly investing in robotics R&D related to security and defense, for example, the development of autonomous surveillance, rescue, explosive detection, or recognition systems. Projects like NESTOR, HURRICANE, or CREST are some of the initiatives in which Robotnik has participated, implementing its robotic platforms.

In conclusion, robotics has become a cornerstone of research and development processes, providing solutions that accelerate experiments, improve result accuracy, and open new frontiers in fields such as exploration and medicine. Its ability to automate complex tasks, along with high reliability and the capacity to integrate emerging technologies, not only drives scientific progress but also supports industrial competitiveness and the creation of innovative products. With robotics, researchers and companies can address complex problems with interdisciplinary approaches, developing technologies that have a transversal impact on various industries. Without a doubt, robotics is a key tool for the future of R&D, paving the way for faster, more precise, and accessible industrial implementation.